If you have swelling in your legs and ankles, exercise can help to improve blood flow. In some cases, however, exercise can exacerbate leg and ankle swelling. By identifying swelling triggers, you can more easily understand your symptoms and determine if medical care is necessary.

Muscle Strain

Repetitive weight-bearing exercises can result in a variety of overuse injuries, such as muscle strains, that cause swelling in the leg or ankle, according to the American College of Sports Medicine. Muscle strains are caused by muscle fiber damage that occurs over time. Prevent these strains by warming up properly, varying training and maintaining muscle flexibility.

Tendinopathy

Characterized by pain and swelling along the tibialis posterior tendon, tendinopathy occurs when there are microtears in the tendon that result from repetitive overuse. Symptoms generally begin at the start of the workout and persist after exercise is completed. Manage symptoms of tendinopathy by minimizing activities that cause pain and swelling. Once symptoms have started to subside, gentle stretching and strengthening exercises can help the tendon heal properly.

Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome

The American College of Sports Medicine classifies medial tibial stress syndrome as the most common leg injury. It occurs when the membrane surrounding the bone, known as the periosteum, becomes inflamed. Symptoms of medial tibial stress syndrome include pain, swelling and localized redness that occurs during weight-bearing activities, such as running. The college recommends complete rest for a minimum of seven to 10 days for treatment of medial tibial stress syndrome.

Tibial Stress Fracture

Tibial stress fracture, which involves fractures or small cracks in the tibia caused by repetitive overuse, has many of the same symptoms as medial tibial stress syndrome. Pain, swelling and localized tenderness often begin when the affected person is running or jumping. If the stress fracture is not addressed, symptoms may become noticeable during lower impact activities, such as walking. Complete rest for no less than 15 days is required for proper healing if a tibial stress fracture is diagnosed.

Chronic Compartment Syndrome

Chronic compartment syndrome is a relatively rare condition that results from leg muscle ischemia — a lack of blood flow in the legs that occurs during exercise. In people with chronic compartment syndrome, the vessels in the leg do not dilate during exercise to allow for the increased blood flow needed to deliver higher amounts of oxygen to working muscles. Symptoms of chronic compartment syndrome include leg and ankle swelling, leg pain and numbness. These symptoms are present only during exercise and will often resolve 10 to 15 minutes after exercise is complete. Tests designed to measure the pressure in the anterior compartment of the leg are used to diagnose chronic compartment syndrome, and surgery is necessary to correct the condition.

Blood Clots

Occasionally, leg and ankle swelling can be attributed to a blood clot in the leg, known as deep vein thrombosis. People with deep vein thrombosis often experience ankle and leg swelling that occurs only on the affected leg. Leg pain, which resembles muscle cramping in the calf, and localized skin redness may also occur. Deep vein thrombosis is relatively rare — MayoClinic.com estimates that it affects 350,000 people annually — but it can be fatal if not treated. If you experience leg and ankle swelling on one leg that worsens during exercise, especially if it is accompanied by fever or red skin that is warm to the touch, seek prompt medical attention.

Heart Disease

Mild congenital heart defects can cause various symptoms, including shortness of breath and fatigue during exercise and swelling in the legs, ankles or feet, according to MayoClinic.com. While life-threatening congenital heart defects are often diagnosed at birth, many less serious defects are diagnosed in late childhood or early adulthood. Heart disease that is caused by an improperly functioning heart valve, such as the aortic, mitral or pulmonary valve, can also cause swelling. Working with your physician to develop a safe exercise program is crucial if you have heart disease because intense exercise can exacerbate symptoms. If you have swelling that is accompanied by shortness of breath and fatigue during exercise, schedule an appointment with your physician.

About the Author

Tiffany Parnell is an experienced writer of health-related articles. She has worked as a copywriter in the health-care, information-technology and finance industries. Parnell holds a Bachelor of Arts in communication with a minor in biology from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.